I have a Gaggia Titanium, which I think TayM will recognise as being in the top of the home ranges, it grinds the beans and does everything else except drink it for you, it's on a level with reataurant or coffee bar machines, to my taste.
However, one of the mysteries of life is why French coffee made in a cafetiere (A british invention, incidentally!) in France tastes absolutely cosmic: You can bring the coffee back with you, but it just doesn't taste the same at home.
I regret that I can't agree that cafetiere coffee is any better or worse than espresso, it's just different and suits many people's tastes.
Anybody want to get in to the mysteries of good tea making?
I don't get the criticism of Italian wines, which cover just as broad a spectrum as those from other countries: I probably do equal French, Italian, Spanish and Chilean and enjoy them all equally - if there's anything I don't like, it's American or Australian and, in particular, oaked wines: Maybe they just keep the best for themselves.